How to look after and care for a dog

Owning a dog is great fun and immensely rewarding. But, dogs have complex needs and each dog is unique. There is no one 'perfect' way to care for all dogs, but our expert advice will help you ensure your dog is healthy and happy.

Take a look around and you'll find everything you need to ensure your dog is healthy and happy.

Give a home to a rescued dog

We rescue and rehome thousands of dogs each year - each one comes with a unique personality ready made. If you're looking to introduce a dog into your family why not offer a forever home to a dog in our care?

Understanding dogs' needs

There are approximately eight and a half million dogs kept as pets in the UK. But, did you know that 8 out of 10 dogs suffer from separation anxiety when left alone? If not, you're not alone as it's estimated that half of owners don't realise.

Looking at the world from a dog's point of view can help you understand your pet better, which is why we've launched our #DogKind campaign!

Dogs have highly developed senses

Dogs have an incredibly well-developed sense of smell, far superior to humans.

At certain frequencies, dogs can detect sounds up to four times quieter than humans can hear.

Dogs can also hear in ultrasound, which is sound with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing.

Dogs can see better than humans in dark and dim light.

Dogs are diverse

Dogs are extremely diverse in both size and shape. For example, there is over a 110-fold difference in weight between the Chihuahua (1kg) and the St Bernard (115kg).

Dogs use a range of methods to communicate

Communication is very important in helping dogs form and maintain social groups.

To transmit scent information, dogs use urine, faeces and secretions from special scent glands.

Dogs produce a range of sounds, often in complex combinations, including whines, whimpers, growls, barks and howls.

Many dogs can use their body, face, tail, ears and limbs to communicate with other dogs.

Dogs are athletic

The fastest recorded speed for a greyhound is 42 miles per hour, similar to that of a mounted racehorse, which can reach speeds of around 43 miles per hour!

Dogs are naturally inquisitive

Dogs actively seek information about their surroundings and will spend much time investigating and exploring.

Feral dogs will naturally roam for great distances in search of food.

Dogs are omnivores

Dogs eat both meat and plant food, so are called omnivores.

Dogs' teeth are adapted to this diet. Whilst dogs do have teeth designed for tearing meat, compared to other carnivores dogs have more molars, which are used for crushing and grinding plant food.

Dogs are highly social

Many dogs enjoy the company of other dogs, but they will also form strong social bonds to humans, becoming very attached to particular individuals.

Dogs are intelligent

Dogs can learn the names of their toys. For example Rico, a border collie, learnt the names of 200 toys and can reliably fetch the correct toy when asked to.

Dogs are playful

Dogs use special signals to show they want to play. When inviting others to play, a dog crouches on its forelimbs, remains standing on its hind limbs and may wag its tail or bark. This behaviour is called the 'play bow'.

Dogs really are man's best friend

In addition to companionship, some dogs help their owners in really special ways. Assistance dogs can help blind, deaf and disabled people, whilst some dogs can even help alert owners before an epileptic fit starts.

Dogs can be trained to detect drugs, explosives, termites, and even some diseases such as cancer and diabetes.